Great Nicobar Island Project: Transforming India’s Southernmost Island

Great Nicobar Island Project Transforming India’s Southernmost Island

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has hailed the Great Nicobar Island Project as a landmark initiative that will transform the island into a major maritime and air connectivity hub in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). Calling it a project of “strategic, defence, and national importance,” he shared Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav’s article that detailed the integrated development plan and its ecological safeguards.

The project reflects India’s dual commitment to economic development and ecological protection, aligning with the vision of a Viksit Bharat by 2047.

Project Overview

The Great Nicobar Island Project is a multi-development initiative designed to boost connectivity, infrastructure, and India’s maritime security presence in the IOR.

Key features include,

International Container Transshipment Terminal (ICTT): Capacity of 14.2 million TEU, making it one of the largest in Asia.
Greenfield International Airport: Dual-use for civilian and military purposes.
Power Plant: A 450 MVA gas and solar-based power project to ensure energy security.
Township Development: Spread across 16,610 hectares to support population and economic activity.
The project, worth ₹72,000 crore, will be executed over 30 years in a phased manner.

Strategic and Geopolitical Significance

The project’s strategic location makes it crucial for India’s defence and security,

Countering Expansionism: It enhances India’s ability to respond to regional challenges, including China’s growing naval presence.
Curbing Illegal Activities: The project will help curb illegal poaching and transnational maritime crimes.
Maritime Advantage: Located near Indira Point, less than 150 km from Indonesia, the island provides a strategic vantage in the Malacca Strait–Indian Ocean region.

By strengthening maritime and air connectivity, the project positions India as a preferred security and trade partner in the Indo-Pacific.

Ecological and Tribal Concerns

The project has raised concerns regarding its impact on forests, biodiversity, and indigenous tribes.
Forest Diversion: About 13,075 hectares of forest land (15% of the island) will be diverted, with nearly 9.64 lakh trees expected to be cut.
Wildlife Impact: The island is home to endangered species like the Leatherback sea turtle.
Indigenous Tribes: The island houses the Shompen tribe (approx. 237 members) and Nicobarese (approx. 1,094 members) within a 751 sq km tribal reserve, of which 84 sq km will be denotified.
Seismic Risks: The island lies in a seismically active zone, devastated by the 2004 tsunami (magnitude 9.2 earthquake). Future risks remain, though experts predict another major event only after several centuries.

Union Minister Bhupender Yadav assured that the project was cleared after detailed ecological, social, and strategic assessments, with safeguards to protect tribal communities and biodiversity.

Economy Meets Ecology

The government stresses that the project represents a balance between development and environmental conservation,

Strict adherence to the National Building Code for earthquake resistance.
Integration of renewable energy sources (solar-based power).
Conservation zones for tribal welfare and biodiversity protection.
Eco-sensitive planning to minimize impact on fragile ecosystems.
This reflects India’s approach of “economy and ecology complementing each other.”